Athletic Bilbao doesn't buy its way out of problems. It grows its answers. That's why a 21 year old goalkeeper with 68 minutes of first team football, all of it in friendlies, is more interesting than his numbers suggest. Mikel Santos is from Bilbao, came through the club's own system and now has a first team shirt with his name on it. At most clubs he'd be a footnote. At Athletic, he's part of the plan.
He won't be starting on Sunday. He probably won't be starting this season. But the club has registered him in its La Liga squad for 2026/2027, and that decision says something.
Profile Card
| Full name | Mikel Santos Linares |
|---|---|
| Born | November 1, 2004, in Bilbao, Biscay, Spain |
| Age | 21 (turns 22 in November 2026) |
| Nationality | Spanish (Basque) |
| Height and weight | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in), 72 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Stronger foot | Left |
| Club | Athletic Bilbao, shirt number 26 |
| Contract | Until June 30, 2027 |
| Market value | About 250,000 euros (Transfermarkt) |
| Net worth | Icon Polls estimate: $400,000 to $700,000 |
| EA Sports FC 26 | 63 overall, 75 potential |
A Bilbao Kid in a Bilbao Shirt
Santos was born in Bilbao on November 1, 2004. In that city, Athletic isn't just the local team. It's civic identity, and the club's long standing policy of fielding only Basque players makes it the obvious dream for any talented local kid. Being born a short trip from San Mamés doesn't guarantee anything, but it does mean Santos fits the club's identity without any debate over eligibility.
He hasn't been called up by Spain at youth or senior level. That isn't a red flag. Goalkeepers tend to mature later than outfield players, and international recognition usually follows senior minutes rather than coming before them.
Basconia, Then the Reserves
His route has been the standard Athletic one, just quicker. He joined CD Basconia, one of the club's affiliated feeder sides, in 2023. By March 2024 he had stepped up to Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team that plays in the Primera Federación, Spain's third tier.
That's a fast jump. Basconia to the reserves inside a year suggests coaches liked what they saw early. Since then, he has been part of the reserve squad across the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons, which is where young keepers learn the unglamorous parts of the job: dealing with crosses against grown men, organising a back line and recovering from mistakes in front of real crowds.
Sixty Eight Minutes and a Clean Sheet
Here is the entirety of his first team record so far: two friendly appearances during the 2025/2026 pre season. One start, one appearance off the bench, 68 minutes in total, one clean sheet and one goal conceded.
It would be silly to read much into that. Friendlies are friendlies. But they're also auditions, and for a keeper the first job in senior company is simply to look like you belong. Nothing in those minutes hurt his case, and the La Liga registration that followed suggests the staff were satisfied.
Why Number 26 Matters
Squad numbers are a small detail that tell you a lot. Santos wears 26 in a goalkeeping group led by Unai Simon, Athletic's established number one and a Spain international. Julen Agirrezabala and Alex Padilla, who wears 27, complete the picture listed for the squad.
That puts Santos realistically third or fourth in line. The honest read is that his role right now is to train with elite keepers every day, be ready if injuries strike and keep developing. Being that close to Simon in training is its own kind of education.
The Left Foot Question
Santos is left footed, which is relatively uncommon among goalkeepers. In the modern game that has practical value. Teams that build from the back often want a keeper comfortable playing out to the left side, and a natural left foot can open passing angles that right footed keepers have to work harder to find. It's not a reason to pick him on its own, but it's a genuine point of difference.
A 63 With Room to Grow
For Career Mode players, Santos shows up in EA Sports FC 26 with a 63 overall rating and a 75 potential. The game lists him with 1 star skill moves, a 2 star weak foot, an in game value of $1.2 million and a weekly wage of $3,500.
A 75 ceiling won't make him a superstar in your save, but for a cheap, young backup who can grow into a dependable starter over a few seasons, he's a sensible pick. Just remember those in game numbers are the game's estimates, not his real contract.
Value, Wages and a Cautious Estimate
Transfermarkt has put his market value at roughly 250,000 euros from late 2025 into 2026. That's modest, and it should be. Valuations follow competitive minutes, and he hasn't had many yet.
His salary has never been made public. Icon Polls estimates his net worth at between $400,000 and $700,000, based on what a young player on a first professional deal at a La Liga club would typically earn. Treat that as a rough range, not a fact. He's likely earning more than most players his age in the lower divisions, and a great deal less than Athletic's regular starters.
A sale looks unlikely. Athletic's recruitment model means it guards its academy graduates closely, and his contract runs until June 2027. If his value climbs, it will be because he plays, whether through cup minutes, a bigger reserve role or a loan.
What 2027 Means
The contract date is the real story to watch. Between now and June 2027, Santos needs to show he's more than a squad filler. A loan for regular football would be the clearest test, and a cup appearance for the first team would be a welcome signal. Athletic has a habit of sticking with its own keepers, which works in his favour if he keeps progressing.
If you enjoy debating which players actually earn a place in football history, you can vote in our all time greatest footballers poll. Santos is a long way from that list, but every keeper starts somewhere.
Three Quick Answers
Has Mikel Santos played a competitive game for Athletic's first team?
Not according to the record available. His two first team outings were pre season friendlies in 2025/2026, totalling 68 minutes.
Which leagues has he played in?
His regular football has come with Bilbao Athletic in the Primera Federación, Spain's third tier, after starting at feeder club CD Basconia.
How much does Mikel Santos earn?
His salary hasn't been disclosed. Icon Polls estimates his net worth at $400,000 to $700,000, consistent with a young player on an early professional contract.
